Wake Up Early: 4 Steps

“Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” Benjamin Franklin’s quote is used so often that it’s nearly a cliche. However, this simple piece of advice can make all the difference in your daily life. Getting enough sleep and having extra time in the morning before rushing off will give you peace of mind throughout the day.

Try to give yourself something to look forward to each morning, even something small like high-quality coffee or fresh bagels. A little treat to start the day mixed with a solid morning routine can make all the difference in your temperament. Whether you’re establishing a habit of waking up early or just getting up to catch an early flight, these four easy will make your life easier.

1- Go to bed early

This seems brain-dead obvious if you’re wanting to wake up early, but too many people put off going to bed, thinking: “Well, I’ll be tired tomorrow either way.” Getting six to eight hours of solid, uninterrupted sleep makes all the difference when getting up early and staying focused through the day.

Many guys will make the excuse that they can’t go to bed until after midnight. You can — you just have to start the process early. One thing that will help you hit the racks is getting off your computer at least an hour before going to bed. Also, don’t watch TV right before going to sleep, especially the news. Let your brain have time to wind down. Read a book or write in a journal.

2- Drink water

Don’t go crazy and down eight glasses right before crawling in bed, otherwise you’ll be up in two hours. The point is to drink a couple glasses of water, so you’ll be hydrated throughout the night and in the morning. Dehydration will cause you to feel sluggish and only make it that much harder to wake up early.

Also, avoid caffeine and alcohol. Caffeine for obvious reasons, it’s a stimulant, and while alcohol is a sedative, it commonly leads to restless sleep. Eating before bed doesn’t bother some, but for others it can cause heartburn and bad dreams. Use discretion with food, but definitely stay away from late-night spicy dishes.